Rigorous science is the hallmark of The Nature Conservancy and its 700 scientists, who are stationed around the globe to safeguard the full spectrum of Earth’s diversity.  In Ohio, more than a dozen scientists work to protect the state’s most biologically rich natural areas, which are threatened by climate change, an expanding human population, damaging industrial and agricultural practices and other dynamics.

Associate Director of Conservation Marleen Kromer, who works closely with Ohio’s strong team of scientists, answers questions about the organization’s conservation goals, and the strategies used to achieve them.

nature.org: What’s your role at The Nature Conservancy?

Marleen Kromer: As associate director of conservation, I provide leadership and guidance to our on-the-ground science staff who manage Conservancy preserves throughout Ohio. I also work with Conservancy staff in neighboring states, as well as partners in Canada, to develop and implement protection strategies for Lake Erie and the Great Lakes Region.       

nature.org: Where do you focus most of your work?

Marleen Kromer: Much of my time is spent supporting our field staff throughout the state’s most biologically rich natural areas – the Grand River watershed in the northeast, the Oak Openings region in the Maumee River watershed of northwest Ohio, our Edge of Appalachia Preserve in the southern part of the state, and Darby Creek watershed in central Ohio.  The main responsibility of the field staff I oversee is to restore and maintain native species diversity and an overall healthy ecosystem.  This involves management practices to control invasive plant species,  mowing and cutting of woody vegetation, wetland restoration, and the use of prescribed fire. 

We work hard to make sure that our conservation work in each of these areas is done in a collaborative spirit, by working across borders with public and private partners.  By sharing information and resources we keep the big picture in mind, and ensure that the work we do makes sense at the landscape level - scale large enough to support humans and nature over the long-term.   
 

nature.org: What are the most important projects on which you’re working?

Marleen Kromer: In addition to applying our land management approach to larger landscapes, we are ready to begin a new program focused on protecting migratory bird habitat.  We will soon hire a specialist to lead this program in the western Lake Erie basin, where abundant wetlands provide high quality habitat for migrating birds that are either stopping over to rest and refuel, or nesting.  The program will reach beyond Lake Erie’s basin, across the Great Lakes region and beyond, in order to establish the kind of network of protected sites that migratory birds need to survive.          
 

nature.org: What are the Conservancy's long-term goals for these projects, or project areas?  

Marleen Kromer: We strive to protect and maintain the state’s high quality freshwater streams, wetlands and forested habitats, which will be more resilient to the pressures of population growth and climate change and will sustain generations to come.    

View other Faces of Conservation.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Marty Sedluk (Morgan Swamp); Photo © TNC (Marleen Kromer); Photo © Pete Whan (Yellow Breasted Chat).